to relieve / exonerate
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to relieve
To take work, worries, or a burden off someone, so that the person is less burdened and has an easier time.
Ein Praktikant soll die Abteilung bei der täglichen Arbeit entlasten.
An intern is supposed to relieve the department in its daily work.
to relieve
To take weight or pressure off a structure, component, or body part in order to protect it.
Nach der Knie-Operation muss er das Bein für sechs Wochen entlasten.
After the knee operation, he has to relieve the leg for six weeks.
to exonerate
In a legal or formal context, to prove or establish that someone is innocent or bears no responsibility for an offense.
Die neuen Beweise haben den Angeklagten vollständig entlastet.
The new evidence completely exonerated the defendant.
to discharge
In an association or company, to release the members of the board or management from responsibility for the past fiscal year after their work has been reviewed and approved.
Auf der Hauptversammlung wurde der Vorstand für das letzte Geschäftsjahr einstimmig entlastet.
At the general meeting, the board was unanimously discharged for the last fiscal year.
'Entlasten' (to relieve / exonerate) is an inseparable verb because it begins with the prefix 'ent-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms.
Die neue Straße entlastet die Innenstadt vom Verkehr.
The new road relieves the city center of traffic.
The word consists of the prefix 'ent-' (to take away) and the noun 'die Last' (the burden/load). So 'entlasten' literally means to take a burden away from someone or something.
Die Spülmaschine entlastet mich sehr im Haushalt.
The dishwasher relieves me a lot in the household.
In the context of work and stress, the preposition 'bei' (+ dative) is often used to name the task. Adverbs such as 'finanziell' (financially) or 'emotional' (emotionally) are also common.
Ein Babysitter kann junge Eltern enorm entlasten.
A babysitter can greatly relieve young parents.
In legal usage, 'entlasten' (to exonerate) means to prove a person's innocence. It is often used with words such as 'Angeklagter' (defendant), 'Zeuge' (witness), or 'Beweis' (evidence).
Das Alibi konnte den Verdächtigen vollständig entlasten.
The alibi was able to completely exonerate the suspect.
to free
Befreien and entlasten can both mean reducing someone’s workload, worries, or burden. Befreien tends to present the removal of a burden, while entlasten emphasizes a reduction in pressure or work. If the burden is merely reduced, entlasten is the better choice; if it is removed more completely, befreien is more suitable.
Die neue Regel entlastet die Mitarbeiter bei dieser zusätzlichen Pflicht.
The new rule relieves the employees of some of the burden of this additional duty.
Die neue Regel befreit die Mitarbeiter von dieser zusätzlichen Pflicht.
The new rule frees the employees from this additional duty.
